The Runway: 2027 Prospects Ready to Take Off 8/8
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As we head into a new season of youth and middle school football around the country, below is a look at some class of 2027 prospects (athletes beginning their eighth-grade school year) that have come across my desk. As football…
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Continue ReadingAs we head into a new season of youth and middle school football around the country, below is a look at some class of 2027 prospects (athletes beginning their eighth-grade school year) that have come across my desk. As football recruiting and evaluating continues to change, the eighth-grade season is becoming a pivotal time for young athletes to garner early attention from Universities. Here’s a look at some prospects that are on the trajectory to be playing a high level of football for years to come.
At 6-foot-3 and 184 pounds and just being 12-years-old, Smith is 2027 prospect that coaches need to know about early. Watching his film, he’s that big-bodied wideout that gives his Quarterback a chance for a completion if they throw it anywhere near him. Possesses an advanced knowledge of how to use his body to muscle his way into making a play on the ball. Much like a “big” in basketball gets in position to grab a rebound, Smith does that on any football thrown in his direction. Obviously being this young and this big, he’s still learning how to move functionally in his big frame. It’s not out of the real of possibility to see him bump inside to become a freak of a Tight End. Look for him to be playing Freshman football (despite only going into eighth-grade) at Freedom High School in Bethlehem, Pa.
Hailing from Keystone Heights, Fla., which is just 30-minutes from Gainesville, Daniels is a big kid from the swamp lands of northern Florida. Set to begin his eighth-grade school year, he already has a Varsity start under his belt from last year, and is again listed on the Varsity roster again this year. While the town of Keystone Heights may be small (a population of only 1,446 in 2020), Daniels is not–already standing 6-foot-4 and 275-pounds. Had the opportunity to watch him up close this summer on the Florida Future Stars and it was was easy to see why he was there. He’s a versatile kid along the front that can play a number of different positions, but looks most at home playing Center. From what I observed, he’s a mauler in the trenches who loves running the ball. He can handle most interior Defensive Linemen with ease because of his power. Struggled a bit with speed getting up to the next level to cut off Linebackers, but that will come with continued training and improving athleticism. Keep an eye out here.
Highlights
The son of a high school Head Coach, it’s very evident to see that Teasley has been coaches and trained up extremely well to this point. The 5-foot-10 and 140-pound righty, only entering his eighth-grade school year, is expected to take the helm of the Jayvee squad at Central Hinds High School in Raymond, MS. Central Hinds is also the school his father, Lance, is the head Coach and Athletic Director. Throwing on the film, Teasley does one of the best jobs I’ve ever seen of a pre-high school prospect keeping his eyes down field, despite the havoc going on around him. I’d consider him a dual-threat Quarterback who certainly looks to throw the ball first. Also a promising shortstop/pitcher on the diamond, he has a very live arm and trusts his ability to squeeze the ball into traffic. I’m not sure if I can accurately articulate just how much of an “It-Factor” he has on the field. There’s something about different the way he plays the position and how his knack for the tough play rallies the team. He’s going to be a very, very good one if/as he continues to progress.
Highlights
Another day of talking about top 2027 prospects, another day of talking about a player on the OG Ducks roster for this upcoming season. While we don’t have a verified size on him, there are pictures on social media with him next to fellow 2027 Offensive Line prospect LJ Riley, who is a verified 6-foot-4, and Campbell looks to have an inch on him. No matter how you slice it, there is a major size on the OG Ducks squad this year and Campbell is certainly near the top. I full expect Campbell to be a two-way starter on the interior line on both sides of the ball. Offensively, he’s a big strong kid who can play either Guard or Center at an extremely high level. Once he gets his hands on a Defensive Linemen it’s all but over. Defensively he’s certainly a two-gap Defensive Tackle who can make it very difficult to run against. If he doesn’t he make the tackle, in the very least he can tie up Offensive Linemen, which allow his Linebackers to scrape and make a play. His strength and size are unquestioned, but it’s his sudden bursts of athleticism that make him a special kind of prospect.
Rumph is no stranger to the coverage of Prep Redzone Next, as I feel we’ve talked about him more than any other 2027 prospect to date. At 6-foot and 190-pounds he’s the future at the Defensive End/Edge position in the state of Georgia. Having seen him live a number of times in the last calendar year, he has the ability to attack the outside shoulder of Offensive Tackle’s and force his way into the backfield on nearly every play. A lot of “football heads” will talk about about prospects having a “non-stop motor” and that’s what Rumph has. It’s not uncommon for him to chase down run plays going away from him, for a tackle for loss. An exciting mix of strength and athleticism, perhaps his best attribute right now is his ability to north-south and east-west with ease. He bends very well and knows how to get skinny while turning the corner into the backfield. While he’s currently one of, if not the top Edge rusher in this class, I can’t ultimately rule out that he transitions to an Outside Linebacker as he progresses because of his quickness. How tall and heavy he gets should go a distance into dictating where he ultimately ends up playing, but he’s going to be a Power5 athlete when all is said and done. Stay tuned.
Highlights
The younger brother of class of 2024 Athlete and BYU-commit Easton Baker, little brother Broncs is on the come up. It’s been quite a calendar year for Baker, having grown nearly four inches and putting on between 20-and-30-pounds of muscle. With that drastically increased size, comes a main position change from Running Back to Linebacker. While he’ll still be a dominant Running Back on the youth level in high eighth-grade season, longterm he has Linebacker or Strong Safety written all over him depending on his much additional he size he puts on. No matter what position he’s lined up on the field at, he brings physical and violent style of play. Right now can play either Outside Linebacker or Inside linebacker at a very high level. Plays behind his pads, at full-speed all the time and arrives with very bad intentions. Played much of last season with a cast on his right arm and it didn’t curtail his style in the least. BYU is not shy about offering in-state prospects, or prospects with ties to the program, early. I wouldn’t be surprised to see an offer extended here before high school.
Williams, who I’ve started calling “Trigger Tre”, has long established himself a 2027 prospect to know in the greater-DFW area. Having seen him spin it a few times over the last calendar year, I have zero issues stamping him as a Quarterback to get to know early. Currently standing a very-solid 5-foot-10 and 160-pounds, his stats from his seventh-grade middle school season are jaw-dropping. Williams helped Strike Middle School to an 8-0 record with an 89% competition percentage. Emphasizing that completion percentage, he threw for 2,489 yards, 34 touchdown passes and zero interceptions. Certainly more of a pocket passer, he can also create with his legs if needs to. Last year he trudged along for 316 rushing yards and rushing touchdowns on the ground. As if his stats don’t paint enough of a picture for you, he loves to air the ball out. He’s capable of making any throw on the field, especially the deep ball. That said, he possesses a keen ability to know when to add/take off zip on the ball depending on the situation. I’m excited to watch him continue to develop his game, as he is off to a tremendous start to his football career.